In Nehemiah's day the returned exiles gathered on the second day after the Feast of Trumpets to seek further understanding of the Law. They discovered the command that Israel must dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month and immediately gathered branches of olive, myrtle, palm, and leafy trees to construct temporary shelters on rooftops, in courtyards, and in public squares. The entire assembly lived in these booths for seven days while the Book of the Law was read daily, concluding with a sacred assembly on the eighth day. This observance marked the first time since the days of Joshua that the people had kept the feast in this manner, producing very great gladness and demonstrating a focused devotion that had been absent for centuries. The account highlights that the dominant theme remained the temporary dwellings themselves, a practice neglected since Joshua yet essential to the feast's purpose of recalling Israel's wilderness experience after the Exodus. By dwelling in booths the people remembered their transitoriness and complete dependence on God, lessons reinforced through the withering of the green branches over the seven days. This simple, obedient observance stood in contrast to earlier, more elaborate celebrations such as Solomon's dedication of the Temple, yet it received special notice because the people followed the prescribed instructions without addition or omission.

In the days of Nehemiah, after a portion of Judah returned from captivity and rediscovered God's law, the Feast of Tabernacles was observed with great reverence. The people dwelt in temporary dwellings for seven days, as commanded, and Ezra read from the law each day, expounding its meaning to help them understand. This was not merely a ritual but a heartfelt engagement with God's word, as the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. Their observance exemplified what it means to keep a feast to the LORD for the full seven days, ensuring that He remained the focus of their celebration. This pattern of dwelling in booths and receiving daily instruction from God's word demonstrates a commitment to honoring Him fully during the feast.

During the time of Nehemiah, the Feast of Tabernacles was observed with a profound emphasis on understanding and spiritual renewal, particularly during the re-establishment and rebuilding of Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. This occasion, which began on the Feast of Trumpets, stirred a deep emotional response among the people due to the stresses they had endured and the significance of the moment. Not since the days of Joshua, the son of Nun, had the feast been kept with such a combination of elements in the right proportion—obedience, location, attitude, and emphasis. The people were in a highly receptive state to hear the Word of God, and He granted them understanding, highlighting that mindless observance or seeking enjoyment for its own sake was not His intent for the feast. Instead, the focus was on transformation and a deeper relationship with Him, ensuring that the observance bore true spiritual fruit.